Boroughs targeted in drinking crackdown

Nine London boroughs are among almost 80 binge drinking troublespots across the country which are to be targeted in new moves against anti-social behaviour.

Trading standards officers will set up "sting" operations aimed at catching licensees who sell alcohol to under-18s.

Police will have the power to close rowdy premises for 24 hours and issue £40 fixed penalty notices to people found drunk and disorderly.

Home Office minister Hazel Blears said: "If you sell to under-age drinkers, if you promote violent and anti-social behaviour, you're not going to get away with it and we will use a raft of powers to shut down your premises."

But the man heading the operation warned that Home Secretary David Blunkett's plan for 24-hour pub opening would create even more violence in towns and cities.

Stephen Green, of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: "I'm unequivocal that 24-hour drinking within the current culture would make for a far greater violent crime problem."

However Mr Green, chief constable of Nottinghamshire, was confident that the crackdown on binge drinking would be a success.

The nine London boroughs in the total of 77 areas to be targeted are Westminster, Newham, Romford, Camden, Kingston, Islington, Barnet, Hillingdon and Lewisham.